by Victor Barreiro

Sometimes called the Latina Ellen DeGeneres — but edgier — out lesbian comic Sandra Valls brings her riotous sense of humor to LOGO’s One Night Stand-Up.

Comedian Sandra Valls has been making people laugh for years. She began her career as a TV producer, but discovered her true calling in life: comedy. This proud lesbian recently appeared on TV in The Latin Divas of Comedy alongside the late Marilyn Martinez. You can catch Valls in the act in a new Logo special, which began airing on Jan. 29, titled One Night Stand-Up, directed/produced by Andrea Meyerson. Valls recently sat down with us to dish on everything from how a break-up launched her into the career of making people laugh to her plans for the future.

Where do you get your material from?

I write my material from the everyday comings and goings of my life. There’s funny everywhere you look. Even if it doesn’t feel funny to me at the time, if it’s funny to other people, I’ll use it.

You’re kind of like the Latina Ellen DeGeneres.

Well thanks! That’s a great compliment! She’s one of the very few comics that always keeps me laughing. My jokes are much more edgier than hers. Ellen’s jokes are really TV clean. I give guys pointers on how to please women in the sack. I’m way more sexual than Ellen.

Do you have a favorite joke that you tell?

I like my bit about “butch” talk. That’s one of my own favorite bits I do. YouTube it. It’s funny.

I’ve often heard that comedy is like group therapy. Would you agree?

It’s certainly therapy of some sort. I feel laughter is healing and can be used to inform and educate. Laughter, like crying, is a release, so people can come into a comedy show and leave a little lighter—not so heavy with problems.

How did you break into comedy?

Years ago, my ex-girlfriend dumped me and signed me up for a comedy class as sort of a consolation prize. I’m all, “Who feels like joking around when they’ve been dumped?” After that, I was bitten by the comedy bug. I loved it. So, I guess something good came out of that break-up.

Did the late Marilyn Martinez ever give you advice?

She would always tell me, “Sandra, just go for it. Be yourself and f--k them if they don’t like you.” Marilyn was very inspiring. She was an advocate and a pioneer for women in comedy. She was, for me, the original Latin diva of comedy. She was such a powerful woman and so courageous. She truly enjoyed living her life to the fullest. And that’s something I’ll always remember when I take my life for granted. I will make every effort to follow in her footsteps and not allow her name to be forgotten. I miss her.

You also have a producing background.

Yes, I’ve produced shows for Mun2 and Sí TV. I am so privileged to be on both sides of the camera. Most people don’t have that opportunity. I’ve grown as a comic and as a producer by being on both sides of the camera. And I’ve developed a great respect and appreciation for the people behind the camera. When I was producing for Mun2, I thought it was imperative to represent not only Latinos in a positive light, but gay people as well. GLAAD took notice by presenting Mun2 a special recognition for my work.

Is there something about you that very few people know?

I am trained in musical theater and have performed in countless musicals. Before I became a comic, I was a singer.

What are your thoughts on gay marriage?

I feel it is a basic right and we should have it. I’m not down with just being recognized as domestic partner[s] or a civil union. Separate is not equal. We deserve the same rights and protections heterosexuals receive: Social Security benefits, health insurance, pensions, immigration rights, family leave, etc. There are over 1,000 federal benefits that civil unions do not include. John F. Kennedy [said], “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Gays and lesbians do a whole hell of a lot for our country and then our country turns around and does not treat us as equal.

Where do you hope to be in five years?

Married! In five years I hope to be married to my fabulous, gorgeous, delicious girlfriend and enjoying a brilliant career that affords me the honor and opportunity to make change in the world by tirelessly continuing to be an advocate for human rights.

For more on Sandra Valls, log onto www.welovesandra.com or www.myspace.com/sandravalls.

Social Whirl

by Victor Barreiro

Club Papi

On Saturday, Jan. 19, Club Papi in San Francisco played host to a fundraiser for Aguilas. For those of you who are not aware, Aguilas is an organization dedicated to creating a supportive, culturally sensitive environment for gay/bisexual Latinos. Of course, being the popular party that Club Papi is, it’s no surprise they helped raise a whopping $3,000 for the organization! For more than 11 years, Club Papi has done its part to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for a number of community organizations like Aguilas, Pro Latino, Proyecto Contra Sida Por Vida, Alta Med, Bienestar, the Gay and Lesbian Centers in San Francisco and San Diego, as well as Gay Pride Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. Obviously the windfall could not have been possible without the help of Club Papi supporters. That night Flava was the guest of honor and definitely got the crowd moving. Food was also provided thanks to the help of Zapata Taqueria. Yes, folks, Club Papi not only guarantees a good time, but they also serve food!

By the way, Pan Dulce landed a new home. The weekly Club Papi event debuted Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Rage ¡Hasta la próxima, mis amigos!